Comments on: The Gospel and Linsanity

By: Ben Toh

Ben Toh — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:47:53 +0000

Hi John, Checking your link, it is amazing that there are already 7 books on Amazon already written about Jeremy Lin in just the past few months!

By: John Y

John Y — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:26:03 +0000

Been reading this inspiring book about Jeremy Lin and his faith, written by a school classmate of mine.
http://www.amazon.com/Jeremy-Lin-The-Reason-Linsanity/dp/1455523941/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335500166&sr=8-1
I was surprised to learn that Jeremy actually grew up in the same hometown as mine! Probably just blocks away! What a coLINcidence!
Maybe he was that tall Asian kid who used to challenge my friends and I on the local school basketball courts. Who knows? Sigh. I guess if my mom was a Tiger mom, maybe my basketball skills would have been above par. Instead, now I’m a wanna-be basketball novice who consistently wakes up with aches and pains all over his body after playing one game of basketball with some college kids. :)

By: GerardoR

GerardoR — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 22:55:49 +0000

Hahaha….. wow.. I cant believe it.

By: Ben Toh

Ben Toh — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:53:49 +0000

Thanks, Gerardo. John Piper, in his well reviewed book, Bloodlines, says that all people are racist, whether they know or acknowledge it or not. In UBF, I have heard Koreans accuse Americans of being racist, and I’ve heard Americans accuse Koreans of being racist. Usually, the accuser, whether Korean or American, comes across as being a little smug, and “blind.”

As Christians, we desire that our primary identity is with Christ and his Bride, the church. I would have liked Lin’s story, if he was not Chinese, as I liked Tebow’s story. But boy, do I like that Lin is my fellow Asian, American, Chinese countrymen! Go, Chink! I can say it, but not the ESPN analysts!

By: GerardoR

GerardoR — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:11:48 +0000

I have been really enjoying the discussion among Asians and Christians who identify with Lin. I think they highlight the issue of the issue of human identity. On the one hand, Lin is asian so many asians make the obvious connection. I am tempted to say this is a superficial connection as race is only skin deep but as a person of color, I know that race is very much encompassing of who a person is. But perhaps that is just the thing, among Christians our identify with the body of Christ should be the primary identify that shapes our lives.

Hence, as I hear from both non asian Christians and asian Christians about how proud they are of Lin, I can’t help but be a bit amazed at the connection which non asian Christians which is a spiritual connection. He holds in his heart the knowlddge and truth that Jesus Christ is Lord and so do I. Something about that really stuns me when I stop to think about it.

By: Ben Toh

Ben Toh — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:34:43 +0000

Thanks, John. Nice article. I don’t deny the apparent “contradiction between sports and faith.” But ultimately God judges us Christians based on the motives and motivations of our heart.

Christians are present in every arena of life, including professional sports. If Lin loses his heart to basketball and desires to excel as a player more than to glorify God, then he has failed like any Christian who loses his heart to an idol.

But if like Eric Liddell, he keeps his focus on the ultimate prize, the kingdom of God, not an NBA chapionship, then I think his life will indeed be like a light shining in a dark place.

By: John Y

John Y — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:07:40 +0000

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/markdroberts/2012/02/20/is-there-a-necessary-contradition-between-sports-and-faith/

Just thought this was an interesting discussion…